Which Candidate Has Disappointed you the Most?

[JCMach1]

Poll question: Which Candidate Has Disappointed you the Most?

and Why?


Honestly, all have disappointed me so far. At present, I remain undecided.


This is not trolling,don't even get me started on the Repugs...!

[izquierdista]

1. I can't be disappointed by Hillary

I expected her to play the part of a corporate lackey and she has performed admirably at that. I'm disappointed that Richardson could not get some more traction and distinguish himself. He should be doing much better than he has so far.

[johncoby2]

2. Kucinich for thinking he can win.

[DemBones DemBones]

32. If Dennis Kucinich were not running, there would be no one

defending progressive Democratic values. Who else really wants to end the war, end US involvement in NAFTA, WTO, GATT, CAFTA, etc. The fact that he's bringing up these issues over and over again helps us see how much the others have sold out.

[maddiejoan]

3. Obama didn't disappoint me.

He broke my heart.

[dsc]

7. I concur

Honestly this whole affair over McClurkin broke my heart.

[maddiejoan]

12. I'm supporting Kucinich

But I do have to say that the only candidate who has raised their stock in my eyes is (wait for it)

Hillary Clinton.


Obama broke my heart --and Edwards' own campaign has driven him down from my second choice to my last choice.

I'd vote for Edwards if he was the nominee --wouldn't even hold my nose --but I wouldn't likely campaign for him
--and I'd campaign for every single one of the others.

Let's face it --on Policy they are all the same (except for Kucinich).

When it comes to character though --Obama and Edwards just keep sinking for me.

[dsc]

13. I actually have liked Edwards

but I still am not happy with his record.

[maddiejoan]

14. I liked Edwards at one point too.

I'm just not enthusiastic at having another petulant child as leader of the free world so soon after the one we have now.

[laureloak]

33. You see JRE as K's big rival? They're great friends, ya know!

[Cameron27]

4. Obama

Edwards couldn't disappoint because I didn't think much of him to start with, but I had high hopes for BO.

[mtnsnake]

5. Obama, only because I had such high hopes for him & he hasn't lived up

to the magic of his famous speech at the DNC Convention in 2004. I still like him as a candidate, but I'm disappointed that some of the magic I thought was there seems to be lacking.

[saltpoint]

6. Asking for a flawless candidate is likely to end in disappointment. The process

itself is political by definition and the people involved are humans, ranging in personality from Robert F. Kennedy to Duke Cunningham and in attributes and skills from Mario Cuomo to Jim Inhofe.

It's tough to navigate with expections of perfection. Any human in any field of endeavor can disappoint at least somebody at least once.

It's the price of admission for getting things done, though, and we persevere because we can choose the Robert F. Kennedy model over the Duke Cunningham model.

I like our field of candidates a lot. Whichever of them wins our nomination has my vote.

[Auntie Bush]

8. Good pragmatic thinking!

:thumbsup:

[saltpoint]

9. Hi, Auntie Bush. A good morning to ya.

You know what? We're less than 2 months away from casting the votes that will begin the removal of an absolutely horrifying administration from power.

It's been a damned long 7-8 years, hasn't it?

[Auntie Bush]

47. Yes, it's certainly been 7-8 long damn years of misery! America's darkest moment in history.

Any one of our guys or gal can do it in a heart beat. They are all qualified! And the Rethugs can't even find a single one to represent them. Hallelujah!

[Greylyn58]

24. Thank you for saying this

and for stating it in such a clear and concise way. I totally agree with your words. Since all the sniping and bickering began at the start of this long campaign season, I have avoided making comments about anyone else's candidate for the very reasons you stated.

I, like many others here on DU have my favorite. I make no bones about who I support, but I'm smart enough to realize that none of these people are perfect, and each has made mistakes over their careers. These people are human-beings and politicians, so there are bound to be mistakes along the way because none of them will ever vote the way you or I want them to. It's the nature of the game. It's called politics.

If we here on DU continue to wait for the perfect candidate--the one that makes the decisions we like, or votes the way we want every time, then I fear we will be waiting a very long time because frankly that candidate doesn't exist. There will always be something some politician has done to make you mad, or get your blood racing.

We just have to vote for the best person we can, someone who will represent the whole of America. Not just one little corner of it.

[saltpoint]

28. Hi, Greylyn58. Well, to begin with, it appears we are supporting the

same candidate in the nomination race. On one hand it feels early in the fall and much can happen between now and the Iowa and New Hampshire votes, but on the other hand, the leaves are dropping from the trees and it feels as if there's not much time left.

Part of this is wishful thinking on my part, because the sooner we begin the vote for our 2008 nominee, the quicker we can be done with George W. Bush's administration, which has been pretty much an unmitigated disaster.

Also, there's much to like in our candidates. All 8 of them are stellar next to the entire GOP field. The GOP field is unnervingly creepy while at the same time, bloodthirsty and corrupt. Not a very welcoming bunch at all.

Loved your post, and say thank you for it.

[Greylyn58]

29. Again, truer words were never spoken

Bush has been a complete and udder disaster. The evils he and his minions have wrought on this country won't be fixed in my life time I fear.

I only pray that with the next election we can begin the long healing road to a better and stronger America.

[saltpoint]

40. I second that heart-felt sentiment and will also

volunteer to dog-sit for you any time you want.

What a wonderful looking pooch.

And I just know that dog is a Democrat!

[Greylyn58]

46. Thanks for the offer

I get lots of people who want to puppy-sit my boy. Since I have no children, he's my baby. Even though he will be 12 yrs old in Dec 21, he's still a puppy at heart.

And like me he's a Dem and an Edward's love. :D

[Auntie Bush]

49. I love your taste in dogs and men. n/t

[Naturyl]

10. Obama

He went from near the top of my list to near the bottom. Oh well.

[cornermouse]

11. Obama

I thought he was more than what he turned out to be.

[stuartrida]

15. I haven't liked Kucinich and Clinton from the get go

So I would have to go with Richardson. I still think he would make a good president, but he has not gotten better as a speaker. Unfortunately, that is pretty important to voters.

[PatSeg]

17. I voted Obama, but Richardson

was next on my list. I had always admired him but he has turned out to be a very disappointing candidate. I heard that he is actually running for the senate.

[stuartrida]

20. Actually,

Udall is in for the senate, which puts that seat as a "leans Democratic." Richardson has said he doesn't want the senate seat, and apparently told Udall as much. Chavez, the other announced candidate, needs to drop out. He is just the kind of Democrat we don't need in the senate, and his poll numbers stink too.

People say Richarson is running for Hillary's VP, but I don't believe it. The lack of a white male on the Democratic ticket will be too scary for Hillary's camp.

I think he is running because he really does have one of the best resumes. However, you need more tha that to win th primary and win a general election.

[abq e streeter]

34. I don't see Chavez dropping out

but Udall would be a much stronger candidate, and we have a golden opportunity to get Heather out of congress . The east side will replace Pearce with another right wing good ol boy, but if we can ever come up with a decent candidate, we can take this (Heather's) district back too. Finally.................I do think its possible Marty would be free to follow his progressive instincts (please don't gag; those from NM who are reading this---despite his center/right reign as mayor, he also was a Dean supporter before there was any Dean bandwagon, however short lived that bandwagon was) as a U.S. senator. Maybe wishful thinking, but as a national level politician, he might start thinking bigger than he feels he can locally. I know, probably wishful thinking, and I'm behind Udall all the way. But if Marty somehow becomes the senate nominee, he'd still be at least somewhat better than the slick, sleazy Wilson.

[mtnsnake]

16. So if so many DU'ers are disappointed in Hillary, then I take that to mean

that Hillary is actually inspiring them this Primary season because they're disappointed that she is doing so well when they were hoping she would suck. It's not like such a high percentage of DU'ers ever had high hopes for her or anything, right? :shrug:

[flaminbats]

42. Hillary inspired me in 1993, during the healthcare debate

it frustrated me when no compromise was made, and a filibuster lead by Senators like Shelby and Gramm ended all progress on the subject! I actually admired Hillary for the leadership she provided and criticism she took when her husband was President, but I don't believe she can win without uniting Democrats everywhere in favor of universal healthcare.

it wasn't Clinton who lost in 1993, but the uninsured American workers who work overtime while not even making enough to visit a Doctor or fill a needed prescription. I think Hillary can get people to listen with more boldness, and by speaking out against the special interests who opposed these objectives. in other words Hillary can do allot for our party and the country by turning her weaknesses into strengths, but following Bill Richardson's example will only make this contest another unnoticed footnote in Presidential elections.

[Colobo]

18. Actually, Bill Richardson...

[JackORoses]

19. I wish Hillary would drop the Pseudo-man charade and be the Mother that this country needs

A real, compassionate Woman could profoundly affect the direction of this country.

But, alas, more and more it seems that this is not an act for her any longer.
She has been disguised so long she has become her facade.

We will not get the First Woman President,
we will get the First President who appears to be a Woman.

[laugle]

45. Sexist nonsense!!

[goodgd_yall]

52. "Pseudo-man"----for chrissakes, what an assinine thought n/t

[Stuckinthebush]

21. Let me guess...

The Clinton people say Obama and the Obama people say Clinton.

[emilyg]

22. Obama.

[Clintonista2]

23. Obama

From McClurkin to missing key votes, he's proven himself to be great at giving speeches, and nothing more.

[Divine Discontent]

70. my friend just got blown away by an Obama speech today

from Friday. and he said, "too bad I won't change from Edwards". Obama just blew him away, but because he knows what he's done outside of his mouth (decisions), he cannot support him at this time.

I think that's a bunch of us.

[BeyondGeography]

25. Obama

Who knew that Natural and Inspirational vs. Unnatural and Uninspirational would be so confusing to Democrats?

He should be 10 points up in every poll by now.

What's taking him so long?

:P

[Basileus Basileon]

26. Bill Richardson by a mile.

Hillary was a known quantity. I knew Obama was going to be the same thing. Richardson, though, I thought was going to be something special. Turns out that despite his fantastic resume, he can't campaign worth a damn, and is one of the worst debaters I've ever seen.

[goodgd_yall]

27. Definitely Obama n/t

[Think82]

30. NOTICE: 0 votes for Biden : )

[ChiciB1]

31. Just Kicking! n/t

[smalll]

35. Obama, no doubt:

Anyone who pays attention has always known that Edwards is a "phony, two-faced, ambulance-chasing little rat bastard" as Amy Poehler (as Hillary) said in the season opener of SNL. http://snltranscripts.jt.org/07/07aclinton.phtm)

I always thought the big question with Obama was "Why him, why now?" Of course he's had his issues, partly from bad luck, partly from inexperience. And at this point, he's clearly channeling Eugene McCarthy or Adlai Stevenson - elegant, intelligent men with no fire in the belly. Doomed to failure.

[cuke]

36. Tempted to vote for Obama, but ended up voting Richardson

The guy has an incredible (though not perfect) record. He doesn't just have a long list of jobs; he has a long list of accomplishments. He is a brilliant man who knows how to get things done (one of the things I like about Clinton) He is also warm, witty, and knows how to talk about issues in a meaningful way without getting wonkish.

But on this campaign trail he has been incredibly undistinguished. I have to admit, I don't get it

[bigwillq]

37. Obama

I always knew how 'evil' Hillary can be so it's not her but Obama has made several outlandish comments the last few weeks and his behavior over the McClurkin thing really pissed me off. He showed so must promise after his remarkable speech at the 2004 DEM convention and I really thought he was going to be the shining star of the DEM party.

But he really hasn't been too impressive since he got in the Senate and I'm not really liking how he is handling his presidential campaign. :mad:

[CyberPieHole]

38. I am dissapointed with Obama...

I supported his campaign early on, but then I shifted to Biden. Now, that Obama has started to get a bit desperate, his campaign seems to lack anything I thought was there...it was just an illusion that he was a great and new hope for America. Fortunately more people are seeing him for what he is: inexperienced.

[PatSeg]

58. Sadly, I think Obama's problem is his handlers

He seems to be the victim of too much political advice. His mixing religion with politics was a total turn off for me and was an invitation for trouble.

[kad7777]

39. The American voter has disappointed me more

than the candidates. They've let themselves be brainwashed with sound bites , magazine covers, and unjustified media coverage of the so called "front runners". It's obvious from the polls and the fund raising.

There's so much at stake this upcoming Presidential election. It is so critical we have an experienced President sitting in the oval office in January 2008. The Middle East is in the middle of Armageddon, and now Pakistan is in turmoil. In my eyes, Joe Biden should be 80% up in the polls on any candidate. This is NOT an American Idol contest, and many Americans are treating it as such. It's great that we have a woman and an African American as candidates, but are they the most qualified to be President in these times of crisis. Respectfully, I don't believe they are. If the Middle East was peaceful, and South Asia was quiet, maybe I'd be contemplating a different decision. Maybe.

In addition, Joe Biden is extremely strong on domestic issues. He's got the whole package and can hit the ground running. No on the job training with Joe. He's been through many Presidential administrations and has worked along side of all of them. He's experienced in working across the aisle to get things done, and he's respected on the hill as well as around the world.

Joe Biden clearly is the best we have, and I wish people would start admitting it to themselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUC8LeZ1hM4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtGCaqOdIJ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HcXkLbRIWw

BIDEN/OBAMA '08

[jillan]

41. Well said!!

[saltpoint]

48. Let me second that, pirhana. A great post by kad7777.

[Auntie Bush]

51. I must agree with every word you said and you said it very well.

Awhile back I said a few good things about Biden and got royally slapped upside the head...so when Clark dropped out...I followed his advice and went for Hillary. But I do love Biden and would be VERY happy if he's
chosen. And I'm glad to see how many people around here are are waking up. But, it's hard to change when you get your passions and mental thinking wrapped around a particular person...but it's very doable!

[PatSeg]

59. You are right about the American voters

We are a consumer driven society and people shop for a candidate the same way they shop for a car. Short attention spans and distracted life styles have people buying into sound bites and slogans, not to mention physical appeal. Sadly most voters probably do more research on a car purchase than they do on a prospective president.

[kad7777]

66. Exactly, I agree with your assessment.

In addition, most people in this country wouldn't have a problem with Joe Biden in the Oval Office. So...why not put him there? He would clearly mop the floor with ANY Republican candidate including Rudy (which Joe has already done in a sentence).

There is so much substance with Joe Biden. So much experience and knowledge. It pains me to see him so low in the polls. I feel like the American people are losing again. They're not getting it, and they're blinded by their own justifications. I wish people were looking at the bigger picture, but it seems they have tunnel vision.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtGCaqOdIJ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUC8LeZ1hM4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HcXkLbRIWw

BIDEN/OBAMA '08

[PatSeg]

68. "looking at the bigger picture"

The upside is a lot of people aren't really "looking" yet. Hopefully, when the less politically involved start paying attention, they'll take notice of Biden.

[fujiyama]

43. Probably Obama

but I had higher hopes for Richardson as well.

I never expected anything from Hillary and I never even considered voting for her in the primaries.

I feel like Obama's campaign became all about raising incredible sums of money from many people, but it's just not gaining the necessary traction. Also, his missing of various votes is disappointing. Instead, he has played an overall "safe" campaign. As for Richardson, I don't know what happened there.

[Rowdyboy]

44. My honest answer is John Edwards, the person I support.....

He's so much better than the campaign he has run. Hopefully, someday we'll all agree on this....(sometime late in his first administration)

[Josiah1982]

50. Obama.

I don't like how he had that gay-hating bigot sing and emcee for the concert tour. He should have asked him to take a hike. I don't know if it will keep me from voting for him in the primary, but it doesn't help his campaign in my eyes.

[Yukari Yakumo]

53. Obama by a mile.

The McGerkin episode most of all. The "Boomers Go Away" comment was the salt in the wound.

I always regarded Kuch as a joke and Edwards as a phony. They aren't disappointment since I never thought much of them anyway.
Biden hasn't given me a reason to hate him... but he hasn't given me a reason to like him either.

[wiley]

54. Obama shipped in half the city of Chicago for his big Iowa moment

It's like planting thousands of questions, no?

"Hello Iowa. Hello Chicago."
Joe Biden

[walk softly]

56. Just the facts, sir, just the facts

and there are none to support you cause it just ain't so!!

[walk softly]

55. SAY IT AIN'T SO, JOE!

Joe Biden was my candidate. He was until he sidestepped a question re 2005 Bankruptcy Bill that I decided to research on my own. Just GOOGLE "Biden 2005 Bankruptcy Bill". The Daily Kos Dairy provides info on the bill and the amendments defeated along the way. Amendments that would protect soldiers in Iraq from predatory lenders, or save a family's home while recovering from major illness or other catastrophic events, but read for yourself. You'll learn that Sen Biden was only one of 3 Democrats that supported this Repug bill that tightened bankruptcy rules for millions of middle class and poor Americans and allowed credit cards companies to mass market product to students and marginal folks and charge higher interest rates and fees across the board.

Just ask him!!

[oasis]

57. I never thought Edwards would stoop so low. (eom)

[sandnsea]

60. The gullibility of DU has disappointed me

Supporters of other candidates have been so threatened by Obama that they've distorted every single thing he's said, even in the face of straight facts to prove they're wrong. In the mean time, like they did with Gore and Kerry before, they're throwing away the best opportunity this country has to change.

[FredScuttle]

71. Yeah, because there was so much distortion when he hired an "ex-gay" clown to host his fundraiser

n/t

[BringBigDogBack]

61. Obama

was up until a month and a half ago an Obama supporter.

Now supporting Edwards

[Perry Logan]

62. They've all been complete screw-ups, except for Hillary.

[JCMach1]

64. including hill...

[bklyncowgirl]

63. Bill Richardson--and I still support the guy

I decided months ago that Bill Richardson was the most qualified of the announced candidates. I liked his positions on the war and the environment/energy and could live with the rest. He does not have an IWR vote to defend. He's someone who'd be competetive in the General Election.

I thought he made a good start with those hilarious job interview commercials. Unfortunately the man seems to lack the mental nimbleness to play the sound bite game at the highest levels. That's killed him in the debates and in some interviews, most notably "Meet the Press". He's inadvertently offended some major Democratic interest groups, e.g. the GLBT community with clumsy and ill thought out remarks. Saying that homosexuality was choice in a debate was just stupid--especially since the man's record in New Mexico is about as pro gay as a Southwestern Governor is going to get.

I think too that he's strayed off the Beltway consensus on the Iraq war and is being punished by the mainstream media for that courageous stand.

I still like the guy but unless he can somehow channel his inner Bill Clinton and figure out how to state complex ideas in thirty seconds or less, he's going to join my long list of losers:

Jerry Brown
Paul Tsongas
Gary Hart
Bill Bradley
Jesse Jackson

etc. etc. etc.

[Czolgosz]

65. I loved Hillary in early '90s. Who's this running for president and what'd she do with MY Hillary?

[BlueIris]

67. As disgusting as this is, I wouldn't say any of them have "disappointed" me.

They've done...exactly what I expected them to do.

Not a good thing.

[momto3]

69. Obama.

I had high hopes for him early on, but he was not able to follow through. Maybe it is due to inexperience and I hope he decides to run again if things do not go his way. For now, I say, Go Joe!!

[Imagevision]

72. This house believes Obama is the most intelligent and qualified of the bunch

[FredScuttle]

74. Too bad he coddles and welcomes bigots into his campaign

not too smart, if you ask me.

[FredScuttle]

73. Obama: The Audacity of Audacity

Let me list my top three gripes with Obama '08:

1) Donnie McClurkin: Welcoming an "ex-gay" clown bigot to headline your campaign event is a horrific insult to the LGBT community directly and to Democrats everywhere who value civil rights. Let this be the tombstone of the Obama campaign:




2) Social Security in "crisis" :wtf:

3)Insulting Baby Boomers, specifically the Vietnam War protesters.


Making friends on a daily basis......:eyes:

[mvd]

75. Obama

At one point, he was my #2. I think his tone should match his policy positions more. There's only so much you can reach out before the Repukes would do in your campaign. I'd still enthusiastically support him, though, if he's the nominee. I put him a bit above Hillary.

Night, all! :hi:

[mvd]

79. Edited my post to add in the why

Forgot that part.

[hedgetrimmer]

76. None!

They all acted just as I have expected them to. No surprises here.

[1932]

77. Obama. He could really use his popularity to make a powerful left wing attack on concentrated power

and wealth.

But he has decided that he shouldn't rock the boat too much.

[rufus dog]

78. I would have to say Richardson

Not much expected from Hillary so no disappointment, Obama is less than expected but still my top guy. Biden has exceeded my expectations, Edwards is as expected. Kucinich had one bad moment, but held his own. Dodd is a neutral, Gravel is a non issue. Richardson I expected to be my #2, currently he is off the radar.

[Sandaasu]

80. Obama, McClurkin and what's been happenign since.

It sucks too. I really liked him. He dropped the ball there though, and still tries to have it both ways on this issue. It's something that I'm afraid I just can't stand for.